Hi Reader,

This last month found myself exhaling and fully relaxing (after months of planning and doing). I just got back from Costa Rica last week, and while it seems so recent, it also seems like so much time has passed. It snowed the day after I got back, and I noticed how hard it was to jump straight back into “real life.” My body still wanted jungle mornings, barefoot walks, and the slow, steady rhythm of Costa Rica (or really any 'vacation' or retreat). And instead of forcing myself to snap back into productivity mode, I let that feeling teach me something.

Winter is a time of stillness, rest, and introspection. Nature doesn’t apologize for slowing down. The trees and animals don’t question the pause or try to “push through.”

So why do we?

This month, I’m choosing to honor the quieter energy of the season. Less striving, more listening. Less doing, more being. Yoga has been my reminder that slowing down isn’t falling behind — it’s a return to balance. Especially good to rest during this time if the rest of the year is stressful in different ways.

Feel free to look or skip through each section for what interests you the most:

💡 December's Practice: Restorative + Loving Kindness

December is a beautiful time to lean into softer practices. Think: fewer chaturangas, more breath. More softening, less pushing. Here’s how you can bring that into your practice:

• Choose slow, yin, or restorative yoga (And if that pace feels too slow for you, I gently invite you to stay with it anyway. Stillness can be uncomfortable at first… but sometimes it ends up being exactly what we need the most.).
• Take slower, longer exhales
• Add stillness at the end of your practice, or to your daily routine
• Practice loving kindness toward yourself and others

To support you, I’ve shared two special meditations:

🧘🏽‍♀️ Loving Kindness Meditation on Insight Timer (audio only): Perfect for reconnecting to compassion when emotions feel heightened this season. click here to listen for free​

🎥 An “oldie but goodie”: A Holiday Stress Meditation on YouTube: I made this 3 years ago, but the message is still so relevant (maybe even more now).

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🎁 If you’re still navigating gifts, last month’s blog is full of mindful ideas that people truly use and love: wellness-gifts-theyll-actually-use​

🪷 And the Desk Yoga Card Decks can make a thoughtful, practical gift for anyone who works at a desk (or feels tense in their body). They’re designed for real life — short, effective, calming moments anyone can do anytime.

A little Costa Rica recap 🦥🌴

In case you missed it, the Costa Rica yoga retreat still has me filled with so much gratitude. It was my first time leading it, and a few people's first time retreat. It was filled with yoga, surfing, beach sunsets, dance, and even a magical sloth sighting that reminded us all to slow waaaay down.

The real magic was in the presence, the conversations, the stillness, and the laughter we shared. This retreat group and energy was so great, and everyone left with new friendships 💛✨

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📣 And for those who have been curious, next year’s Costa Rica 2026 retreat is officially live (Nov 19-23), with early bird registration now open 🤍 We’ll be traveling to Nosara on the Northern Pacific coast, in the Nicoya Peninsula — a Blue Zone known for its slower pace and longevity.

Click to see: General Info | Rooms + Rates​

Where You Can Find Me This Month

💻🧘🏽‍♀️Online Yoga:
📣 Some of you have asked, so I’m now adding SATURDAY MORNING online classes to the online yoga schedule. Think: slow, stretchy, grounding, perfect for a weekend reset. (International friends can now join!)

Tuesdays 6-7pm MST
Saturdays 8am MST | 3pm UTC

You can sign up for both here: yogimaria.com/online-yoga/​

Sending my best,
💛 Maria

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Useful links​

​Private 1:1 Yoga​

​Online Yoga​

​Boulder Park Yoga​

​Costa Rica Retreat Info​

​​Shop the Desk Yoga Cards​